I haven't written here since about, Carnival. I also haven't been on Facebook since about then.
I actually "quit" Facebook about a week or so before Carnival, because I realized it was getting in the way of my productivity. I could say I quit writing here too, but I honestly just haven't had much to say.

And so you ask:

"Well, why didn't you just stop logging in?"

"Because it's frickin' addictive and I just can't do iiiitttt." I would reply.

Like with many things I attempt, I tend to be drastic, because I've learned this is the only way I can help myself get at least on track.

The idea was to just stay off for a couple of weeks until I could get my work and priorities in order, and then I'd go back, no problems. But then with Carnival and the Lenten season coming up on us, I figured I'd stay off. And so until this past weekend, I hadn't had Facebook. Or french fries.

And here's what it was like + what I've learned:

1.Stop doing business on Facebook

I've never liked this, and getting off has forced clients and providers to contact me via email (or Whatsapp, but that's another issue). This has made organizing client requests SO much easier, with history of requests in a neat email chain and wonderful results!

2. If someone really needs to talk to you, they'll figure out how.

If they haven't, then they didn't really need to talk to you, did they? I got messages coming in from all sorts of places from people who genuniely needed to talk to me. Including a former student who found me on Linkedin to ask for help at work!

3. People worry about friends not on Facebook.

Did you know that people quit Facebook after break ups? I had a few friends discover they couldn't find me, and email/text asking if G and I had broken up. WHAT? Apparently it's a way to get away from the fuss of "Are you okay?" On that note, we're still happily together :-)

4. Your social life tends to slow down.

I remember one weekend G asked me if I had any ideas for plans, and then joked "Ah, you're not on Facebook, and haven't gotten a million invites this week." And it's SO true! I apparently missed my friends' band's show last week, and only found out about it on Instagram. I've been back on Facebook for 2 days and have gotten at least 6 event invites. Gone are the evite days. This wasn't a problem most of the time, though. Please refer to number 2 ;-)

5. You don't get caught up with or angry at other people's bullshit.

During my time away from Facebook, many in Brazil were up in arms about domestic politics, corruption, the weak Real, impeaching Dilma and whatnot... I didn't get angry at anyone for voicing un-intelligent copies of what other un-intelligent people were saying. My life was so stress free! And although I was still on instagram and twitter, I saw less wedding photos, baby pictures, unsolicited selfies, yoga posing for photos, and public pity parties. It also helped me learn I should probably do less of that on Facebook once I was back on. Life not-stalking and not-digitally-gossiping can actually be quite fulfilling. Who'd've thunk?

6. You get a lot more done.

In other words. You live a little.

I'm back on Facebook, but probably won't be using it as much, now that I know how productive I can be without constantly opening it when I feel somewhat idle. I may limit my usage with a browser app from now on, just to make sure I don't peruse for longer than I should.

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I'm currently in Rio, enjoying Carnival, hopefully dancing and drinking the day away, but I thought it was important to schedule this post because today is my Braziliversary! I've been living in Brazil, and writing here, for seven years now!

I've "celebrated" here on the blog in my more active times, with year 1, 2, and 3... Don't know what happened with 4-6, but I did stop writing here for a few years, unfortunately.

I know today's my Brazil anniversary, because I remember the night and day I left.

Here's what I remember.

It was f'in FREEZING

A bunch of my girl friends came over for a sleepover. My flight was in the morning, so we spent most of the night up, chatting. A few other friends and family friends came by to say goodbye as well. I had a wonderful safety net, and the feeling of leaving was so bittersweet.

Once I left the house, I left my mom in tears. Like, desperate tears. It was heart wrenching.

I got sick at the airport. Literally, right after checking in and before going to the gate, I told my dad I had to go to the bathroom. And was in there for a while. Left him worried sick. But I was really sick. That was literally stomach wrenching.

On my flight, I sat next to a chubby lady with a chubby baby. She was visiting her family in Minas with her baby and American husband. I would have liked them if the baby didn't scream so much. On the other side of me was a gaúcha who was an au pair in the US, who wouldn't stop raving about américa. Since then, I've despised the accent from Rio Grande do Sul. And au pairs (Ok, not all au pairs. Only some).

My flight was delayed leaving NY, so I missed my connection to BH in São Paulo, and wasn't going to make it until the next morning. That story and the rest of the way to GV City is here.

This all seems miserable, but by the time I got to my family, everything was wonderful. I couldn't have imagine a better homecoming, and although the days before the day I arrived at my grandmother's house were stressul and emotional, it really did feel like coming home.

So how does it feel 7 years later?

Good :-)

They say there's a 7 year itch, when you're married, right? That after 7 years, you start to get an itch and not feel as happy?

I would say I'm not itching as much as I thought I would. I have not ruled out living in other countries, and would actually enjoy leaving Brazil for a couple of years over the next decade or so. But one thing is certain in my mind - I think that no matter what happens to this country - I can't see myself settling permanently anywhere else. I love it here, I love being home.

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As you've probably already noticed, I love to eat (see photo to the right). But since passing that 25 mark, and having to actually watch what I eat, I've been coming up with alternatives, along with a nutritionist, to what I used to eat, without doubling in size.

A couple months back, I wrote about guilt-free main dishes, and so now I thought I'd share a few ideas for delicious snacks I've been having recently. With these, you can eat all day (well, almost - don't take this too literally), without having to worry about doing an extra hour at the gym on Monday (because who goes to the gym on the weekend? You do? Really?).

Yogurt, Fruit, Oats

What is it?

- 1 cup skim natural yogury

- 3-4 strawberries

- 1 Tablespoon granola or oatmeal

Why it's guilt free

At 117 calories, and with 8.9 g protein, this snack is super filling and gives you lots of energy in the "good for you" carbs in the strawberries and oatmeal.

When to Have it

Have this as an afternoon snack, a few hours after lunch. It'll keep your hunger in check until dinner time, and is also great to have an hour or so before working out.

Apple + Cheese

What is it?

- 1 medium sized apple, any kind

- 3 small slices of white cheese (queijo minas frescal in my case, halloumi or similar works too)

- 1 teaspoon honey

Why it's guilt free

This snack comes in at about 150 calories (120 if you forego the honey!), and lots of healthy carbs from the apple and honey, and protein from the cheese. And it literally has like, 3 grams of fat. Pair this with water!

When to Have it

Midmorning snack. If you don't have crazy amounts of protein at breakfast, like me, this is a great snack to keep you awake, and it something you can nibble on at your desk! I have this almost every day, these days, haha.

Kani + Cucumber Sandwich

What is it?

- 2 slices light multi-grain bread

- 2 small slices of white cheese (queijo minas frescal in my case, halloumi or similar works too)

- 1 piece of kani kama

- 1 smal piece of cucumber, sliced

Why it's guilt free

This filling sandwich is only 170 calories, and has a whopping 14 grams of protein! The carbs are all healthy carbs, and won't weigh you down or make you feel stuffed, but satisfied.

When to Have it

Late night snack or post workout. The protein in the kani and cheese, carbs in the bread, and water in the cucumbers will help replenish you after your workout. And it's great late night if you want something to eat that won't weigh you down once you're in bed!

"Australian" Bread, Tomatoes and Cottage Cheese

What is it?

- 2 slices pão australiano, or 2 small loaves (don't know what the english word is for this bread - but it's like the stuff they serve at Outback).

- 1 tablespoon cottage cheese spread

- 1 tomato, chopped

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

Why it's guilt free

This snack is, delicious, and packed with protein at 13 grams of it! This type of bread has more protein than most, and cottage cheese is one of the best things to have in your diet. I think. Maybe. It's yummy too. The snack is 292 calories, but only 185 without the olive oil, and just as delicious! Plus, it's super filling. Have with a cup of green tea.

When to Have it

Mid-afternoon or post workout snack, since it's got so much protein and is filling. You may not even want dinner. Then you can just have a kani sandwich late night :-)

Guacamole + Chips

What is it?

- 1 portion tortilla corn chips (about 10)

- 1/4 cup (about 3 tablespoons) guacamole dip

Why it's guilt free

Guac and chips is only about 160 calories, and is chock full of dietary fibers and vitamin C! Don't look at the fat count so much - since there's so much fiber, you'll be fine ;-)

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I'm not one to talk too much about my yoga practice, because... well, there's not much to talk about, except that I love it. I mentioned it once here on the blog, a few months back, when I started taking yoga classes again. I refuse to post pictures of myself doing asanas all over the internet because I think a yoga practice should be something that's personal. I even try doing it in my room, or when my roommates aren't around (except for yesterday when I was in downward dog when my roommate came in from work! haha).

It's the only time in the day where I can focus on me, my body and on relaxing, all at the same time! So it's not really something I'm going to talk a lot about here. BUT, recently I've been doing a lot of targeted routines, with classes I've been finding online, and I thought I'd share some of the channels with you, because these are amazing people who offer free classes on the internet :-)

Ekhart Yoga

My all time favorite is Ekhart Yoga. They are very clear in their explanations for the classes, and have short classes, including tutorials on more complex asanas. The video I use the most though, is one that's for runners, since I've been keeping at that. Since I have crappy knees and sometimes don't stretch after my runs, this helps keep my muscles loose and firm for my runs:

Tara Stiles Yoga

This girl has hundreds of videos on her channel. A friend of mine introduced me to her videos a few years back, and I started my "YouTube Yoga" lifestyle with her (untill stopping for a while). She has a yoga class for everything, and a great series of playlists for people who want a complete "course," so to speak. Her instructions are a little fast, so if you're a complete beginner, I'd mix her videos in with the others'. One of the videos I've been working on the most with Tara Stiles is this one on strength training:

Ali Kamenova

Ali's videos are a little less produced than the others, which makes you relate to her a little better (except for her incredibly flat belly...) Her videos also go from beginner to advanced like the others, but the ones I like the most are the high intensity ones, like this video that's perfect for a morning sweat:

Sarah Beth Yoga

Sarah, can we be friends? I love Sarah's classes. They're usually quick and to the point, but her hatha yoga classes are also great for relaxing and unwinding. The other night, I hadn't exercised yet, but it was already late, so I found this class with her, and slept beautifully, feeling great the next day:

2. Selfie sticks are huge right now. Everywhere. Considering what I've been seeing around the city, definitely here too.

3. The short sentences and not knowing how to communicate clearly are typical of any tourist who doesn't speak the local language - notice the workers at Disney are super patient with this. That being said, most Americans can't speak a word of Portuguese either and look exactly the same trying to communicate with Brazilians when they come here.

4. Cutting the roped lines = classic.

5. Saying their family is inside the ride is typical of a "jeitinho brasileiro"

6. For a lot of Brazilians, a visit to Disney World is the first time outside the country,

Finally, don't take it so seriously if you find it offensive at all. It's not meant to be offensive at all - if anything, these guys love Brazilians, don't really get us, but think we're fun, polite (notice all the thank yous!), and quirky :-)

ps - are there really so many Brazilian tourists out there wearing fanny packs?